How intuition interferes with logic

**flyingcrocodile46** · 18th August 2012, 16:05

A simple test to illustrate how intuition fools most of us into making a basic error in simple maths.

A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1.00 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

Please just post your answer without any explanation and/or equation (so the adventure of discovery isn't ruined for others). I failed.

**ffirman** · 18th August 2012, 16:09

ball = $0.05

Originally Posted by flyingcrocodile46

A simple test to illustrate how intuition fools most of us into making a basic error in simple maths.

A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1.00 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

Please just post your answer without any explanation and/or equation (so the adventure of discovery isn't ruined for others). I failed.

**bogan** · 18th August 2012, 16:11

I fucked it up, but realised before I could type my first answer in. does that mean I neither win, nor lose any internets?

**Madness** · 18th August 2012, 16:14

Ball = $0.05

**BigAl** · 18th August 2012, 16:22

How big is the ball?

**flyingcrocodile46** · 18th August 2012, 16:23

Originally Posted by bogan

I fucked it up, but realised before I could type my first answer in. does that mean I neither win, nor lose any internets?

Of course not

**flyingcrocodile46** · 18th August 2012, 16:26

Originally Posted by bigal

how big is the ball?

.00600m2 . .

**Bikemad** · 18th August 2012, 16:31

always blow on the pi...........no wait...

**scumdog** · 18th August 2012, 16:36

NOT 10 cents, that's for sure...

**caseye** · 18th August 2012, 17:26

Rasim fasim sneaky as bleed'n CrocAgators.
Got it wrong too.

**Akzle** · 18th August 2012, 18:15

where can i buy a bat for a buck five?

**Ocean1** · 18th August 2012, 18:23

Did most people guess and get 10c?

Didn't work for me, I asked my intuition for the answer and it said: "don't care, work it out you lazy bastard".

**mashman** · 18th August 2012, 18:40

10c .......

**pzkpfw** · 18th August 2012, 18:46

Easy:

bat + ball = 1.10
bat = ball + 1
ball + 1 + ball = 1.10
2 x ball = 1.10 - 1.00
ball = 0.10 / 2
ball = 0.05
bat = ball + 1
bat = 1.05

Hang on, did I say easy? Yes, I'd have guessed $1.00 + $0.10 ... but the wording of the OP contained the warning to slow down and think...

**caspernz** · 18th August 2012, 18:47

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Easy:

bat + ball = 1.10
bat = ball + 1
ball + 1 + ball = 1.10
2 x ball = 1.10 - 1.00
ball = 0.10 / 2
ball = 0.05
bat = ball + 1
bat = 1.05

Hang on, did I say easy? Yes, I'd have guessed $1.00 + $0.10 ... but the wording of the OP contained the warning to slow down and think...

Yep, that's what I was gonna post too, but the wife got a bit horny haha!!